-Spencer Larsen could make a strong case for a roster spot if he gets on the practice field; he has a previous relationship with Josh McDaniels and could potentially play a little bit of linebacker in a pinch.

-Donte’ Stallworth gets the slight edge over Deion Branch at this point because he may be a little bit more explosive at this point; Stallworth has been practicing more often as well.

-Don’t be surprised if Alex Silvestro beats out Visanthe Shiancoe for a roster spot; Silvestro is a promising DE-to-TE conversion project.

-Dan Koppen could very well be one of the surprise cuts; he is strictly a center and nearing the late stages of his career.

-Gerard Warren was a tough cut at defensive tackle; Ron Brace’s impressive training camp practices give him the edge for now, especially because Myror Pryor may be able to return in week seven.

-Losing Dane Fletcher hurts; Niko Koutouvides is projected in his spot as a special teams player and depth linebacker.

-Will Allen was tough to cut; Julian Edelman could function as the team’s sixth cornerback if needed.

-The Patriots seem to be high on James Ihedigbo; Nate Ebner could potentially close that gap with some strong preseason performances.

7 Responses to “Patriots Roster Projection: Matthew Jones”

I agree with most,but Spencer Larsen at RB and Bolden to Practice Squad. Kopa as 4th Ot and Brace out as DT. Nate Ebner in and Inhedgibo out. Practice Squad to be Bolden,Ebert,Jeremiah Warren,Marcus Forston,Kyle Hix,Jeff Tarpinian,Alex Silvestro and Malcolm Williams

-I feel like belichick is going to have the convo with branch that rex ryan had with laverneus coles in the jets episode 4 of hard knocks where he basically says, you’ve been great for us, but we need the spot and you’re in your early 30s.

-Last year we learned that the Patriots 65th man in training camp is another teams 38th man (butler, wilhite, tyrone mckenzie, ect), I have no doubt that despite what happened with the trade up in the draft and the “win now”approach, some players will be dealt to recover picks. In a league where the motto is Not For Long, if you’re another coach, do you want to give up a 7th round pick for a lineman like Kopa or Francis that could mean the difference between going 7-9 and 8-8 or making progress from 6-10 and out of it to 7-9 and at least in the hunt the last month of the season?

-there are a lot fewer young high level patriots draft picks on that cut list this year than there were the last few years. This is a good sign of improved drafting by the team.

-there are 10 1st or 2nd round picks listed on the first 2 levels of the defensive depth chart, mostly from the last few years. The parcells patriots teams and early belichek title teams never had anywhere close to this level of inhouse young drafted defensive firepower. There are 5 on the offensive end.

-the shortage of young wide recievers on that list and impending potential departure of wes welker I think makes that position the first obvious potential need in next years draft. Belichek’s record there has been abysmal the last 8 years and they don’t have the picks to acquire a young gun.

-the closest comparison to me of this year for the patriots is the first bledsoe team to go to the super bowl. At almost every position on the roster you have young players as you did then either poised to break out or get cut. With the departure of faulk and light, this is almost really the start of a completely new era.